Okay, let’s give this another go. Since we’re not on the date anymore it’s not imperative to stick to a schedule, so I’ll just start it and we’ll see how it goes. It can span a couple days if we want.
This is a much less formal or regulated event than the official celebratory debate, there’s no moderator or anything, it’s pretty much go with the flow and we’ll see what happens.
Here is the general idea:
- Whoever wants to introduce a topic for debate will post it as a statement with two clear sides. For example: 'Coke is better than Pepsi'
- I will take the opposite position of the posted statement ('Pepsi is better than Coke') and initiate the debate, giving reasons for my side.
- The first poster will then engage the debate by giving reasons for their side.
- At this time, anyone else following along may jump in on either side of the debate they wish, providing their own points and counterpoints.
- When someone wants to introduce a new topic, they post it in the same manner as before.
- The debate will immediately switch to the new topic, proceeding in the same manner as before.
There is no permission needed to throw out a topic, people can just post one whenever, but please use some discretion. We don’t want topic after topic coming in before any actual debate can develop on the current one.
There are a few possible logistic issues, such as two people posting at the same time, that could cause confusion onhere things stand, if they’re both setting a topic for example, or if one is posting on one topic while the other is changing the topic to something else, but that’s okay. When a new topic is posted the debate should immediately switch to it, but if you miss it don’t worry about it, you’ll figure it out when the page loads again. As I said, this is just go with the flow and have fun.
I have no idea how this is going to work out, and that’s the point. It’s very possible we’ll have some strings of incoherent posts from time to time, for example: Topic 1 is posted, I respond, Topic 2 is posted before anyone can counter, I respond to the new topic because the debate has to change leaving Topic 1 abandoned.
It’s just play along the best you can, don’t worry about doing something wrong because you can’t. There is no wrong here. The only thing that needs to be kept in mind is if you are going to throw out a topic you need to be prepared to argue in support of it. I’ll be taking the opposing side, you need to take responsibility for the supporting side. This is to ensure debate can be immediately engaged as soon as a topic is introduced.
I am positioned at mike A facing the bleachers, the topic setter will take mike B facing me, participants on my side will assemble on the left set of microphone stands and participants on the other side will assemble on the right set so the proponent of each side of the debate has their supporters on their respective right hand side.
We will begin as soon as someone provides the first topic. Have fun!
But, as for superiority, I'd rather have the full story as Tolkien intended it to be heard instead of the edited version Jackson gives us in the movies.